‘Emiliano Martinez has pulled Man United U-turn – he’s leaving Aston Villa’
Emiliano Martinez’s Aston Villa future is in serious doubt this summer after a stunning five-year spell with the club.
The 32-year-old has been at the Midlands-based club since his move from Arsenal in 2020, establishing himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers in that time.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Aston Villa must make around £30milllion from player sales before the end of June to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Martinez, who has been linked with both Man United and Atleti, could be the player sold to ensure the club are not hit with a penalty.
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes his old club will lose their number one goalkeeper this summer.
‘Martinez’s future hinges on Oblak’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed that Martinez would prefer a move to Atleti – despite Man United previously looking a “nailed-on certainty” to land his signature.
The 32-year-old spent a spell on loan at Getafe back in 2017, but has been in England for the rest of his career.
Wyness added that Martinez’s switch to Spain depends on whether current Atleti keeper Jan Oblak leaves this summer.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think he’s going to stay at Villa. I do think he’s going.
“I thought he was a nailed-on certainty to go to Man United, but the Atletico interest will depend on whether Oblak, who has been a great servant to Atletico Madrid, ends up going down to Saudi, and I believe there’s a really big deal to be done there.
“If that happens, then I think Martinez would prefer Atletico. Given the Spanish culture, it would suit him.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Martinez, a bit of a hothead occasionally. Great goalkeeper, great shot stopper, and I really like watching him play in goal.
“I think Atletico would be his preferred situation, but that will hinge on a few dominoes falling.”
‘Emery to face Aston Villa pressure’
Meanwhile, Unai Emery could reportedly come under pressure at Aston Villa if they are forced to sell key players to comply with financial rules.
That is according to Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Aston Villa, and claimed that Emery is set for a difficult transfer window at Villa Park.
Should Villa fail to comply, they risk facing a similar sanction to both Everton and Nottingham Forest who were handed points deductions in the 2023-24 season.
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